The Burglar and the Blizzard: A Christmas Story

d McVay, without comment on her ab

on is always a great temptation to me, but I have so little opportunity to read

but his eyes were fixed on the carpet. The knowledge of the girl's presence in his house distracted him like a lantern swung before

rent virtues had liked many women," although in his case it had not always been necessarily virtues that had attracted him. But there were certain women who had always appealed to him for some conspicuous quality, or characteristic, who for one reason or another pleased him, to which one side or another of his nature responded. He had often thought that if he could make up a composite woman of all of them he might be in great danger of falling in love. But now he was aware that his whole nature responded

offrey said to himself in so many words that he was in love,-far less had anything so definite as marriage crossed his mi

on the stairs. He rose and met her in the hall, whence he cou

in her sables re

His Sister's Sables

she, with a cold blankness that seemed to say that not even a l

g that I wanted to turn you o

ed, turning her head a little aside from his direct gaze. "But

rt us-that is the way my manner strikes you?" He wa

e your own word that you insisted on our going. Possibly you have changed your mind, bu

rcely recognise life in this-this ecstasy. That is the only change. Am I l

ch she had been fighting quite as much as with Holland, an

aid, we ought to be starting,-or

going too. You knew I u

half-shut lids, but the lines of he

ate that there would be greater danger in starting out so

pera

ty to think so meanly of me,-t

not ha

ager to be rid

not und

going t

e can go

lon

to answer directly she said, "We are under s

and saw McVay was observing them with sat

nough, but to be observed by one who so plainly hoped to profit, was unbearable. Never, said Geoffrey to himself, at that g

s a hideous sort of revenge that every waking minute must be spent in the man's company. Geoffrey had not appreciated the full meani

f affectionate swagger with which McVay rose to greet her, as if th

rible experience. Holland has just been telling me about it-saying how well you behaved,

s very kind,"

nd! I should rather think he was. Why, I

t trouble,"

uch as to say: What did I tell

own him how natural, how encouraging from his own point of view her unconsciousness was. To fall in love thoroughly is sufficiently disconcerting. Which of us needs to be told that it is an absorbing process, that life looks different, and that all past experiences must be reviewed in the light of this unexpected illumination. And

far from being able to draw shrewd conclusions from the little happenings going on before her,

, as if trying to

f the thought was interesting to her, it was

your safety." He took a step toward the pair at the fire, and then remembering, stopped.

, Holland," he said, "I wa

," said Geoffrey, with

the girl, "Mr. Holland i

rgot to wonder, however, in pursuing the more wonderful train of thought which had already been occupying her. Suppose that their plans for her relief had been decided differently, suppose her brother had come

that you did not com

'Holland, it is my duty and pleasure, it is my right to go,' but ..." McVay shrugged hi

alk like that even in fun. You know perfectly well that Mr. Holland only insist

not stronger.... Oh, well, as far as mere brute force goes, perhaps, but in the matter of bearing physical strain, you betray the most absurd ignorance. It is well known scientif

u knew you were better fitted I

ooked as if he would explode in another moment under the sense of injustice. "He

ooky thing; an empty house, picked up a book, had quite forgotten my position, the world, everything, when a voice at my elbow said: 'Fond of reading?' I was never more surprised in my life. I felt distinctly caught,-an interloper. And to make matters worse, I saw that Ho

s Holland met the twinkling joy of those small blue eyes, he wondered if he would not be doing mankind a favour by putt

... a long and dangerous adventure for a woman, but you were

d Geoffrey

ay I paid nothing for it,-little more than the trouble of taking it ho

think Mr. Holland is int

ome,

ng glance, "I think I know of just about a dozen people

kes all poetry, all imagination out of a subject. Do you know, the only connotati

y. Geoffrey had not

to begin on the preparation of the Christmas dinner. They all rose as if glad o

rately try to exas

heir tongues to lamp-posts in freezing

N

red you, Holland, as a boy, you had m